Hotel brokerage expands to space by Galleria mall

Hotel brokers Hunter Realty Associates Inc. has moved to new offices near the Galleria mall in Cobb County and plans to expand its staff.

Bob Hunter, president of Hunter Realty, said the company’s move to a 9,000-square-foot slot in 300 Galleria Parkway will help accommodate his plan to add three to five brokers plus support staff to the current roster of 12 employees. The company, which Hunter founded in 1978, had occupied an office for 30 years on Northside Drive and Interstate 75.

“We think the market conditions will make good people available,” said Hunter, noting layoffs in the financial sector.

Hunter Realty, which handles mid-to-upscale hotel sales, said the market is still active below $20 million provided the buyer is an existing hotelier with strong credit and liquidity.

“It’s a good time to be a buyer and a good time to be a seller,” Hunter said.

The firm, which also has an office in Washington, D.C., has closed two deals to start the fourth quarter.

The company has seen a strong pull for mid-to-upscale Hilton- and Marriott-flagged brands, he said.

Grape expectations

The Grape Franchise Group LLC has formed a board of directors and advisory council for its The Grape wine bar and bistro chain.

The restaurant chain, which also features a retail wine shop in each location, has added experts from a number of fields, including hospitality, restaurants and real estate, to bring guidance to the chain of 14 restaurants across the Southeast.

The board includes Jack Mazur, the company’s founder and chairman, who started the company in Vinings in 1999, and President and CEO Gregg Freishtat.

Also coming on board are: Michael Coles, former CEO of Caribou Coffee; Richard Nicolosi, founder of business management and consulting firm Nicolosi Advisors; and Thomas A. Gordy, president and CEO of CeloNova BioSciences Inc.